Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Saratoga

Saratoga County District Attorney Jim Murphy will host the annual Crime Victim’s Candle Light Vigil at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Presbyterian-Congregational Church in Saratoga Springs. It is open to the public.

The vigil marks the beginning of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The theme this year is “25 years of rebuilding lives: celebrating the victims crime act.” President Ronald Reagan signed the act in 1984. Using federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures, the crime victim fund established by the legislation provides victim compensation, assistance programs and supports domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers.

Local people who serve crime victims will be honored Sunday. Maggie Fronk, executive director of Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services, will be recognized as well as Carol Carlson, a crime victim specialist with the State Police. Michael Copeland will also accept a posthumous award on behalf of his wife, Dorothy Copeland of Clifton Park, who died of cancer in December. Dorothy Copeland was a victim specialist for the FBI in Albany.